Brace for haphazard build-ups: Authority

The concept of planned development in Shahberi and other adjoining pockets in Noida Extension may take a severe beating. With the land acquisition in Shahberi set aside by the Supreme Court and other villages seeking similar relief, 'colonisers' have become active in the region and are approaching owners directly.

It is feared another Khoda, a massive slum off NH-24, may come up if measures are not taken immediately.

"In industrial townships, the law does not allow builders to buy land directly from farmers. Only the authority can do so," said an official.

The Greater Noida authority had bought land from farmers at the rate of Rs 8 lakh per bigha while builders are offering Rs 35 lakh for the same land.

Sources say more than 1,000 land registrations of small plots have been done in the area, that may result in mushrooming of illegal colonies and erratic growth.

Officials differ on the number of such registries but they do confirm the trend. Registrations have been done despite the fact that land in Noida Extension had been notified by the authority for acquisition for planned development.

During the hearing in the Supreme Court, the authority said unauthorised colonies would have come up in the area if it had not acquired land in Noida Extension.